The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy

September 18, 2001

To the churches of Jesus Christ within The United Church of Canada: Grace to you and peace from the God of compassion, love, justice, and hope.

We are a global family. In the aftermath of the horrific events of the attacks on the United States, we know this in every fibre of our being. As some 100,000 people gathered on Parliament Hill to mourn, others gathered in churches, mosques, temples, and non-religious venues throughout Canada and around the world to express their shock and offer their deep-felt sympathy to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who died.

The morning following September 11, I was at a breakfast for homeless and low-income men at Brunswick Street United Church, Halifax, where the tragic events were the topic of conversation. In our grief, we are united with people throughout the world.

We are united in our commitment to help. The stories are many:

• People from churches and communities across Canada provided blankets, food, personal items, clothing—whatever was needed—for stranded airline passengers;
• Government workers, especially in the federal Department of Foreign Affairs, worked around the clock to seek information for Canadian families about loved ones;
• Emergency personnel and countless volunteers persistently search for victims and, with hope hanging on threads, for survivors;
• Police, ambulance drivers, and medical personnel work with compassionate, diligent commitment;
• Countless churches and houses of worship have held prayer vigils and services;
• Children and youth seek names so that they can send cards and letters of sympathy.

The story of a Palestinian in the West Bank calling Christian colleagues and asking where to go to give blood for the people in America was reiterated by people of many nationalities and religions. We are assured by Christians that, despite the scene on our television screens of Palestinians celebrating this attack, most Palestinians do not see any reason to celebrate.

You will have your own stories to add and, on behalf of The United Church of Canada, I thank you for prayers offered, sympathy expressed, and assistance given in the midst of devastation and disaster.

Now we struggle to find meaning and hope in the madness and hatred of the horrific attacks, in the broken hearts and broken spirits caused by the massive deaths, and in our vulnerability as North Americans. The soul-searching questions voiced by children and youth are our anguishing questions as well: Morally, how can anyone do something like this? What's coming next?

May all of our churches be safe places where children, youth, and adults can shed tears, ask questions, and respond in compassionate, responsible, peaceful, and just ways—Christ-like ways.

May we be extra caring and sensitive with Muslims and people of other religions and other countries, especially those from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East. May we uphold God's will for multi-racial respect instead of racial prejudice.

Through prayers and action, let us appeal for decisions based on God's wisdom, on being justice-seekers and peacemakers. Let us point out that while those responsible for this evil must be held accountable, we must strive to bring them to justice without destroying the lives of other innocent people. Those who hate and have no respect for human life are a small group of people who do not represent the core values of any particular religion or people.

Basic to being human, basic to the values of all religions, is respect for the sanctity of life and the qualities of compassion, peace, and justice. As Christians, together with others, we hold up hope; yes, as with the crucifixion, hope in the midst of hopelessness. And the news we dare to proclaim as an Easter people is that love is stronger than brutality and hatred, that peace with justice and newness of life can rise from the ashes of oppression and despair.

Let us continue to pray for, work for, and strengthen one another in Christian hope.

I offer these words from scripture for our comfort, strength, and hope in action:

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted . . . . Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God

Matthew 5:4, 9, NRSV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

Romans 15:13, NRSV

My prayers are with you all, and with the world, as we open ourselves to God's Spirit that God's "will be done on earth as in heaven".

In sympathy, faith, and hope,
The Right Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy
Moderator, The United Church of Canada